Acute lymphocytic leukaemia presenting as spontaneous splenic rupture

Summary

A case of spontaneous rupture of the spleen as a primary manifestation of acute lymphocytic leukaemia is presented. Pathological findings suggest that the splenic rupture in this case was due to infiltration and destruction of the trabecular arteries by leukaemic cells. Splenectomy was carried out successfully and remission subsequently obtained with chemotherapy.